Thanks, I’ll contact them. Looks like a real solid option if it fits👍.
Finally got my fore/aft movement added to my homemade rocker plate. Had several different ideas/concepts to add this to my existing rocker. But after all that I ended up with a hack solution after a light bulb moment. Since I had a set of generic rollers from the previous iteration of Nashbar (no resistance) which I haven’t used in over 5 years I repurposed it as a “conveyor roller track”.
Started with this:
Moved the drums to this configuration (had to drill a few holes in the frame):
After that I added guide feet to the bottom of my rocker plate base to keep it centered and also it acts as hard stops against the roller drum mounting nuts.
Here is the rocker and also end product with my bike on.
For now I used bungee cords for movement control. Total allowable movement based on hard stops is around 5-6 inches. But with the amount of bungees I currently am using it’s more reduced around 4 or so as I’m trying to prevent it hitting the hard stops for most normal efforts. Will eventually put on some actual springs but still gotta figure out what load rating to get to minimize the number needed (was thinking 4 max is preferred). Note if I had a full length rocker setup I probably wouldn’t have need to drill extra holes in my set of rollers. I did leave the front wheel as us since It’s just a cheapo backup I have for trainer use and it moves with the fore/aft movement just fine.
After my first session with it definitely took a bit to get used to it. So far it seems to help a little but more with saddle comfort on top of the rocker tilt. Only drawback to my setup is it added even more height over ground level. Had to raise my front wheel block and step platform even higher. Was really surprised at how much “spring tension” was required to prevent it from moving so easily. The rollers are that smooth.
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First ride on the DIY rocker tonight, not bad for ~£90 with spares leftover. Hard to tell much with just an hour on the road bike but interested to see if it has any impact on the longer TT rides.
Still a few finishing touches to make but testing ball positions and number first. Any opinions on distance from centre line to ball centres? And any benefit to 2 per side instead of 1?
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I am about 6" [150mm] center of pivot to center of ball, with 3.5 psi in a 6" ball.
I like just one per side, to make pressure balancing from left to right easier. 2 per side just adds to the hassle, IMO. Unless you are blowing up balls, I don’t see 4 total as better than 2 total.
Great looking build. Hope to hear what you think during some longer rides. Happy rocking 
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Thanks Chad, I’ll hopefully have something positive to report after a few sessions but worst case it gave me something to do for a weekend in the current situation 
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Sorry for slacking. I dropped this and another reply I need to respond to.
Here are some pics of a few setups for inspiration:
I can get some plan PDF’s for a few of the designs that are “generic” enough to use. Do you think you want full length or rear only?
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Sorry again for the big delay here.
Consider a wheel-on trainer, viewed from the front or rear.
Left side is fully supported by springs (red coils) and will “bounce” a bit with pedaling motion. It’s like a poorly sprung full suspension MTB.
Right side is similar, but features a rigid center fulcrul (blue triangle serving as a pivot and vertical support) to more directly force a left-right rocking action vs the bounce that can happen with a pure sprung support.
Does that help?
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Totally- thank you!
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I’ve built Chad’s Rockit Launcher and used basic corner braces to stabilize my Direto. It allows to lock it in place by preventing lateral movement, yet you can still easily take it off if you ever need to.
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For legs, a nylon or velcro strap, even an old toe clip strap are good options. Add some small risers to capture the legs to prevent shifting direction and you are set.
Hi Johnnyvee,
I’ve used Chad’s exact measurements and didn’t fiddle with adjusting the plan, which seemed more suited for a Wahoo Kickr. As a result, my Direto’s legs overflow a little bit past the platform. Therefore, the rocker’s footprint is actually smaller than the Direto’s (at least it is if you were to “square” the Direto’s cross-shaped footprint). You will also see the corner braces I’ve used. I have one on each side of every leg.
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One last quick note. The bike is approximately 5mm off center on the Direto. I used a hanging weight from the center of the down tube to find out. The bike should be centered on the rocker plate, not the trainer. Happy rocking, it will change your trainer rides for the better! 
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Most people seem to use a rocker plate for more comfort, but I was wondering if it’s really beneficial to training, as in using more muscle groups etc. I don’t get uncomfortable on a static trainer even on longer rides (4-5hrs), but I’d consider getting one if it makes indoor training more “natural”.
Per my OP:
So yes, I firmly believe the additional freedom of motion requires more muscle engagement from the rider.
Yup, precisely why I made my first rocker, after a full season on motion rollers.
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Just bought a Rocker Plate and did my first proper ride on it today. I can say only one thing with absolute certainty:
When one of the two inflatable bladders suddenly deflates while you’re riding, making the entire rocker plate, trainer and bike tilt suddenly to the left, it’s really quite an alarming sensation.
As I only rode 10 minutes before it happened, I’ll have to wait until the rubber ring is patched / replaced before saying anything else with any certainty.
Yikes, thay stinks. Sorry for the bad luck and such a short experience. Hope you get a replacement quickly and get back on for a proper ride.
Yes I haven’t named the manufacturer because to be fair to them, they immediately responded to my email and promised to send out replacement inflatable bladders.
I managed to patch the defective one and it’s currently holding when I jump up and down on the plate, so I might give it another tentative go this week, and just be ready to unclip quickly.
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Those that are using rear only rocker plates, what front riser are you using? Currently have the cycle ops climbing blocks and they grip the wheel significantly allowing no sidewards lean. Haven’t purchased the rocker yet, just tying to research it.
I made my own riser, and it’s just flat. I have always disliked the curved and cradle style risers. I think a flash surface, and one that has a relatively low-friction surface is best. I use a chunk of smooth and shiny cardboard to allow some twist on the tire, without causing the tire to wear.